Our view: Christmas bill offers clarity

There seems to be a bit of confusion in schools these days about how traditional winter holidays can be acknowledged. State Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, said he frequently gets calls from schools about what kind of greetings are permissible.

Can students and staff say "Merry Christmas"? Or is it limited, as it is in some states, to "Happy Holidays"?

Contrary to what seems to be a popular misconception, there is no state law governing how schools may celebrate traditional holidays, so Seabaugh has written a bill to clear it all up.

Perhaps it shouldn't be necessary to write a law to define what appears to be common sense. But apparently it is.

According to Seabaugh's bill, which has cleared the House and has been sent on to the Senate Education Committee, the greetings, "Merry Christmas," "Happy Hanukkah," "Happy Kwanzaa" and "Happy Holidays," are all OK for the December holidays.

It also spells out what kinds of holiday decorations may be displayed, including some with religious motifs.

People often tell him his bill is "blatantly unconstitutional," he said.

He responds with, "No. It's blatantly constitutional."

Seabaugh said the content of the bill is not original to him but is a compilation of Supreme Court decisions and closely follows the Texas Merry Christmas Law.

This should offend no one. Seabaugh said he has even received messages of support from atheists and agnostics. After all, as the song says, it's the most wonderful time of the year.

There is a profound religious significance to Christmas, but it has also become part of American culture. The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas in some form or another. Most hold gatherings to exchange gifts and reinforce bonds of family and friendship.

Hanukkah has the same kind of religious significance to Americans of the Jewish faith, but it is also an American tradition, although to a lesser degree. Kwanzaa, the African-American winter celebration, is a relative newcomer, but is an important holiday for those who wish to honor African-American traditions.

It seems almost foolish to be restricted to a bland, "Happy Holidays," while pretending we don't know which holidays are coming up.

There is no harm in knowing and acknowledging the origins - religious or otherwise - of traditional holidays, as long as students and staff are not required to observe those holidays in a way that is contrary to their religious beliefs.

And that is clearly not the intent of Seabaugh's bill.

The other part of the bill is not so simple. It authorizes a school board to display on school property scenes or symbols that include a menorah or a nativity scene or Christmas tree, if the display includes a scene or symbol of more than one religion or a display featuring one religion and at least one secular scene or symbol.

That seems innocuous and inclusive enough, but doing so does run the risk that members of other religions might demand equal treatment. Not so, Seabaugh said, because the law is specific to only those three holidays.

But that's what lawsuits and amendments during future legislative sessions are for. There is always the peril of having other groups demanding equal space on lawns and bulletin boards during other seasons of the year.

But the matter of season's greetings is easier to sort out.

America is a country of rich traditions and Christmas is possibly the biggest American celebration - preparation for the holiday now begins even before Thanksgiving.

And no one will be harmed - nor should anyone be offended - by a holiday-specific greeting delivered with a warm smile.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Our view: Christmas bill offers clarity

There seems to be a bit of confusion in schools these days about how traditional winter holidays can be acknowledged. State Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, said he frequently gets calls from